Logic-Gated Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Nanoplatform for Dual-Amplified Cancer Cell Imaging and Targeted Photothermal Ablation

Precise identification of cancer cells is essential for accurate theranostics, yet remains hindered by the low specificity of single-biomarker recognition and susceptibility of conventional probes to nonspecific activation. Herein, we develop a logic-gated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoplatform that enables dual-amplified cancer cell imaging coupled with targeted photothermal ablation. Using apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) and miRNA-155 as model targets for breast cancer, the concurrent presence of both biomarkers triggers spatially confined catalytic hairpin assembly. This drives the self-organization of gold nanoparticles into dense three-dimensional network nanostructures (3D-ANS), simultaneously generating electromagnetic hot spots for SERS signal amplification and photothermal conversion. This nanoplatform achieves an ultralow detection limit of 2.09 × 10^-5 U mL^-1 for APE1 and 28.9 aM for miRNA-155, enabling ultrasensitive specific imaging of cancer cells. Moreover, the assembled 3D-ANS simultaneously exhibits high photothermal conversion efficiency and can specifically eliminate cancer cells under 808 nm laser irradiation. Integrating high specificity and versatility, this logic-gated SERS platform provides a powerful strategy for precise diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy.